Rebecca Plona v. HHS - Influenza, musculocutaneous nerve injury, Parsonage-Turner syndrome, and tendonitis (2019)

Rebecca Plona filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on January 2, 2019. She alleged that she developed a musculocutaneous nerve injury, Parsonage-Turner syndrome, and tendonitis as a result of an influenza vaccine she received on September 24, 2015.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the alleged injuries were caused by the vaccine. However, the parties subsequently filed a joint stipulation agreeing that compensation should be awarded.

Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. Pursuant to the stipulation, Rebecca Plona was awarded a lump sum of $90,000, payable to her, for all items of damages.

Additionally, she was awarded a lump sum of $8,411.94, payable jointly to her and the State of Ohio Medicaid Tort Recovery Unit, to reimburse a State of Ohio Medicaid lien. The total award amounted to $98,411.94.

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, clinical details of the injuries, diagnostic tests performed, or treatments received. The specific theory of causation and any expert testimony are not detailed in the public decision, as the case was resolved via stipulation.